Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz

It seems you can say what you like in an attempt to get elected to local government.
Warwick Lampp, electoral officer for the recent council elections, tabled his election report at full council this week and was responding to questions about conduct at the election.

There were some outrageous comments from some candidates that, to put it politely, were devoid of substance or fact. Warwick explained that he had no measure of whether the statements were true or not and the Act under which he operates only prescribes the processes he must follow.
There were numerous complaints made about these untrue statements and no action was taken to curb them. This seems to be a black hole in the democratic process when, to be impolite, people tell lies in an attempt to get elected and get away with it. Thankfully none of the perpetrators got elected – most of you are a canny bunch out there in elector land. Warwick says it was the strangest election he had yet conducted with candidate squabbling and American style personality politics. He ran elections for other councils so he wasn't just referring to Tauranga.
The election cost $377,559 to run of which the city council ratepayers paid $194,570, regional council $61,126 and District Health Board $108,969.

Wormhole closing?
On city debt, negotiations are continuing regarding Route K debt and we are hopeful of a positive outcome – if not for this financial year, then 2012-13. Once this $55 million is off the city's books it will relieve much financial pressure provided future councils don't go on spending sprees and run the debt up again.

Mapping the future
The Historic Village Project Steering Group was established. Murray Guy will chair it, Catherine Stewart deputy and Bill Grainger.
There will be three members from the community interest group at the village, three from commercial activity at the village and three from the community at large. It has defined terms of reference and will report back to strategy and policy committee a recommended way forward. With 12 members it is a big ask to get agreement, particularly with diverse interests around the table and I wish them luck!
The Museum Steering Group did a good job and arrived at a pragmatic way forward, not requiring extra ratepayer funding and that is the same expectation outlined in the role and scope of the terms of reference.

Searching for a captain
Council is continuing the exhaustive process of a new CEO appointment. As I have said before this appointment is critical to the future of Tauranga, particularly its financial future. All details are confidential obviously, but I will say that things look very positive from the applications received. We hope to finalise the appointment by the end of March or earlier.

New right turns
On other matters, the right turn out of 11th Avenue, coming up from Devonport Road, onto Cameron Road is to be reinstated. (Faulkners Corner!)
So we've gone full circle on this one – back to how it used to be. Kauri Street at Gate Pa opposite Mega 10 will have no right turn in or out off Cameron Road.
The old Mount Cosmopolitan Club building, recently vacated, has been let as the base to run this year's general election for $102,254. At the other end of the spectrum the lease to the Vintage Car Club site at Cliff Road has been rolled over at $225 a year. The building is theirs.

Shooting stars
At strategy and policy committee, yet again no daily media present to report the detail to you. Of course, it's their business to choose what they want to report, but it's rather rich when they make judgments on elected members not having been present at many meetings. I also note some reports appearing which must have been written off the agendas because there were no reporters present at the meeting. Whilst this meeting agenda may have appeared to be ho-hum, it turned out to be quite the opposite as elected members dug their heels in and rejected staff recommendations for more expenditure on consultant reports to provide up-to-date research for Active Reserves (Sports Parks) Levels of Service Review – discussion one and a five tier meeting process. The proposal was to ask you what you wanted for future sports fields through ‘scientific research'. Some $40,000 has already been spent. We cried ‘enough'. There is no funding to raise levels of service and unless you are prepared to pay significantly increased user fees or increased rates there's no point in proceeding. We know from last year's user fees and charges review that you have no appetite for increases at present. Likewise the Aquatics Strategy Discussion Document. We know you don't want increased charges at the pools and there is a major problem coming with regards to Otumoetai Pool. Both will go out for your consultation/submission.

Earthquake sympathy
During the meeting we were informed about the dreadful consequences of the Christchurch earthquake. Council has offered staff resources as we did last time. Our hearts and minds go out to the people affected in Christchurch. A timely warning to get yourself prepared for such an emergency event here. As I noted in the item on Civil Defence a couple of weeks ago. Our turn is coming – we just don't know when or how.

This week's mind bender – from ratepayer David – rules were made for fools and the guidance of wise men.